Into the Fire is the second book from G D Wright and it builds on the promise of the debut one delivering an excellent thriller which kept producing twists and turns all the way through right until the very end.

A very enjoyable read.

This is a brilliant book! A very sobering read about people not being who they say they are and how secrets never stayed buried forever and the past always catches you! Loved it !

The story begins with the aftermath of a catastrophic fire, one of the worst that the attending officers had seen in their career. But, before we learn the details, we go back in time to three weeks earlier. From here, the story follows Steve and his family. When Steve performs a heroic act that throws him into the limelight, it becomes very clear that the public eye is the last place he wants to be. The story is told from multiple POV. Our main two POV are from Steve as he navigates the ever changing situation, and DS Willmott who is investigating the house fire and digging deeper into those involved. As events unfold, the question you will be asking yourself is; does a heroic act make up for the sins of the past?

DS Willmott is such a fantastic character. If you were ever in a situation where you had to rely on the police, she’s certainly the sort of detective you would want in your corner. Not only is she incredible at her job, she is also compassionate, supportive, and will go above and beyond for you, and her relationship with Kevin in this story is testament to that. I am so glad that this series revolves around her, even though she isn’t necessarily the main character of the books.

The authors ability to make you feel every single emotion is so impressive, and this book is an absolute rollercoaster. I think I experienced every emotion possible while reading this story! I also love the way that every angle is explored, and it makes you see things from everyone’s perspective, which then makes you question how you would feel in similar circumstances.

I had so many theories along the way, and one that I was so sure was going to happen, but that’s not the direction this story took. The way it came together really threw me, even now I just can’t believe it went the way it did, but it was fantastic. You certainly continue thinking about it way after you’ve finished the book. Although at times it is incredibly hard to read, this book is also impossible to put down from beginning to end. I would strongly recommend checking the trigger warnings before reading though.

After The Storm was one of my favourite books of 2024, so Into The Fire was one of my most anticipated books of 2025. I always knew that I would love this book, and it certainly didn’t let me down. G.D. Wright is on track to becoming one of my favourite authors, and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!

This review isn't going to be as long as others because it's hard to fully review it without spoilers and you need to go into this blind I think.

How do you follow up one of the best books ever written? By writing another "best book ever written", of course.

GD Wright's previous book, After the Storm, had me in absolute floods of tears and I wasn't sure I could cope with another of his heart-breaking stories.

This wasn't as haunting as After the Storm...well, no, that's not exactly true. It's haunting but in a different way. It's more a psychological haunting than physical in my opinion.

Wright knows how to pull at the heartstrings, to break hearts as well as warm them.

Yes there's a plot, of course there is and it's a cracker. But for me, this is all about the characters. Wright's ability to create very real and flawed characters, fully of depth and humanity, sadness, anger, resentment, fear, but also love and hope, is second to none.

Steve is one of the best characters I've read. Not always a goodie but not always a baddie, he's a hero but is he also a villain or a victim? He's so layered with such depth, and regardless of what he may or may not have done, you are on his side throughout.

I read it in one sitting, keeping me awake late at night as I just couldn't bear to put it down before I'd finished it all.

It asks a number of moral questions: does one deed overtake another? If you save a life, does that absolve you of when you took a life? Can a villain ever become a hero?

What I love about this book, and the previous one, is that whilst they're independent stories and can be read as standalone, there is the running character of DS Willmott, which shows a sense of community and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

It does touch on a number of very difficult topics, such as death, murder, grief, injury, abuse, child loss, relationship problems, drugs, drink etc.

It's a book of two halves. The first focusses more on the physical - the fire, the lives saved and lost - and the second more of the psychological, which gives us a good balance. We get sucked in to this harrowing story with a gut punch, and then we're on this journey with the characters and we start to ask questions about ourselves, what would we do.

A good concept, but I read this and felt that the execution could be much better. I think part of the deal-breaker for me was that the protagonist's tasks were spelt out so elaborately that I often wanted to put the book down. Wright is a talented writer, and I'd love to try his other works but this book was just not tight enough to make it an outstanding read.

All is not as it seems when you live by the coast….

Steve is a happily married man with two young children living in the quiet coastal town of Beachbrook. when overnight he becomes a hero running
into a burning house looking for survivors…. after discovering a young baby
in his cot and the flames starting to creep under the bedroom door he has
no choice but to smash the window and jump out the window with the baby.
He makes an attempt at going back in the house to try and find the parents
or other people but the flames are too intense and he has to watch the house succumb to the fire.

When the knowledge of a hero reaches the tv crews, they turn up on his doorstep in their crowds wanting an interview but Steve is reluctant to oblige - BUT WHY??
When the harassment gets too much Steve makes a error of judgement which could cost him everything but only time will tell…

Question is -
Will his past return to haunt him ?
Will he agree to a tv/radio interview after all or not?

Into the Fire by G.D. Wright is a gripping and fast-paced novel that seamlessly blends suspense, action, and emotional depth. The story pulls readers into a world filled with tension and high stakes, where characters are tested in both body and spirit. Wright’s writing is sharp and immersive, creating vivid scenes and compelling dialogue that keep the pages turning. While the plot delivers plenty of twists and intense moments, it’s the development of the characters and their inner struggles that give the story heart. A solid read for fans of thrillers and action-driven narratives.

Whilst I found the first half of this book a little more on the slow side, the second half more than made up for it!
From the outset we find out that Steve is hiding something dark from his past, we don't know what, but we know that whatever it is, he's fought hard to keep these secrets buried.
Steve is suddenly thrust under the spotlight however, when, on his way home from a drunken night with his friends, they come across a house on fire and Steve doesn't hesitate before running into the house to save 9-month-old baby Jack.
This act of heroism doesn't go unnoticed, and as Steve struggles with his newfound "celebrity", the past is quickly catching up on him.

The detail from a police procedural PoV was well-written and clear, easy to follow.
Told from the perspectives of the 5 key players could have made things messy & complicated, but it helped the story move and unravel perfectly.
Whilst I did see the big twist at the end coming, it didn't make it any less shocking.
I think the ending was perfect for this story.

Thank you to Avon Books for the ARC.

TW: child abuse

On the way home from a night out with friends, Steve smells smoke and rushes towards a burning house, Saving a baby he is hailed a hero by everyone but he only feels guilty for those he didn't rescue. But after a DNA test is completed he soon becomes the villain of the town when a past crime is uncovered. Taking a step back into his past helps Steve come to turns with the life he's led.
Having gone through the emotional wringer with G.D Wright's debut novel, I had high hopes for this 2nd book. It doesn't disappoint in any shape or form. It starts strongly and the pace continues relentlessly.
It's a fast paced thriller with a killer punch.

I really enjoyed the first novel in this series. Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one. It felt very slow, particularly at the beginning. Lots of exposition made my attention waver. Still, this author has writing skills. Three stars for that.

Just WOW! I heard a lot of good things about G.D Wright's debut so just had to grab a copy of his new one and boy, Into the Fire does not disappoint. Such a brilliant, suspenseful read. 5 Stars

Settle in and hold on tight - Into the Fire is an extraordinary rollercoaster of a book that will keep you gripped from start to finish.

I absolutely loved G.D. Wright's first novel, After the Fire, so was very much looking forward to reading Into the Fire and goodness - it was everything and so much more. Another remarkable read, with such powerful and captivating writing that hooks you from the start and has left a lasting impression.

The main character is Steve, to us an ordinary man who unexpectedly becomes a hero in his community. He never saw himself as a hero, he simply did what he thought anyone else would have done if faced with the same situation. We learn so much about Steve, his family, his job, his friends, his life. We find out he has a secret past but we do not find out what it is at the start and even his family are unaware of the truths that he keeps hidden.

And then we learn about something hugely tragic that happened and we find out about what happened in Steve's past. The community completely change their mind about Steve and turn on him in the worse possible ways. But is it true? Steve's world is crumbling all around him, leaving him struggling to hold on to the pieces of his life that remain. Everything he loved and knew is just slipping away, leaving behind an empty shell of what his life once was and who he once was. Steve always knew the truth might surface one day, yet he did everything within his grasp to keep it hidden, safeguarding his secret at all costs - because he knew what would happen once the truth was out.

The weight of what happened to Steve always casted an enormous shadow over his life, was included in every choice and decision that he had to make. Now, everything he tried so hard to bury is resurfacing, threatening to tear his entire world apart

And then, the twist hit me like a thunderbolt. It was completely unexpected, utterly staggering. I never saw it coming at all - I just totally stopped and stared at the page, for quite some time. Steve's life when he was younger was so very, very tough, and what happened to him was just devastating and unimaginable - an ordeal so harrowing and life changing.

This book is so intense, packed full of tension and emotion and is extremely gripping. Featuring a shocking twist that stayed with me long after I read the final page. I had no idea that the twist was coming. It has taken me a while to write my review because I could not stop thinking about the storyline.

This book is different to the first book but is another exceptional read which will have you hooked from the start. I cannot wait to read G. D. Wright's third book! He is definitely one of my go to crime and thriller writers.

Thank you very much Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Steve is a hero.
Steve is a murderer.
Steve, his wife and friends,are walking home from a night out when he smells smoke. He has a choice to make, fight or flight? He chooses fight and runs into the house he rescues a baby but unfortunately not the parents. The problem is Steve has a past and now it's beginning to catch up with him.
Just when you think you know the direction this is going, it changes tack and the ending well what a shocker!!
Many thanks to the publishers for inviting me to read read this and will be looking for more from G.D. Wright.

Into the Fire started at a good pace but then slowed down so much I almost lost interest but by the time Steve returned from his journey up north the pace sped up again. The revelations were traumatic and the suspense became unbearable and then we were taken down a totally unexpected and shocking path. What a journey!

This is a brilliantly paced book which I really enjoyed.

I really thought I knew where this book was going and how it was going to end. It's fair to say I was completely blindsided!! Such a twist and not one I saw coming!

While returning home, Steve, his wife, and their close friends Phil and Emma come across a house fire. There might be people inside. Fight or flight? Steve chooses fight and goes into the fire. He makes a dramatic escape with a young baby. Without Steve, the baby wouldn't have survived. But his heroic actions have consequences. Steve has always tried to stay below the radar because he has a secret. A secret which is about to be thrust into the spotlight. But Steve's secret goes back further than the murder he is accused of. It goes right back to his childhood.

The consequences of his decision to go into the fire are far-reaching and devastating for more than one family.

Halfway through reading this and you think, yes can see how this pans out. Wrong! The final part of the book is a classic page turner and a shocker. The author does not hold back and do be aware some of the subject matter can be upsetting. However, well written fiction like this gets the reader thinking and in the main character Steve, one of the best fictional characters this reader has come across in awhile.

3.5 stars
I absolutely loved After the Storm, Wright's debut.So I was really looking forward to this one, but unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Steve, Sarah, Phil, and Emma are returning from a night out when Steve smells smoke.
He rushes into the burning house, convinced there is a child sleeping.
Steve is a hero.
Steve is a murderer.
What happened in Steve's past is catching up with him.
Overall, this was a good read. We are back in Beachbrook, and leading the investigation is DS Willmott.
For me, some of the writing was overly descriptive, and there was too much use of the word aesthetic. It's a great word, BUT!
The bedroom scene, oh God, just no. If it was meant to shock, it did, but not in a good way.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Such a great book. Thank you for letting me read it in advance. I can't wait to see what else this author has to offer.

🔥Into the fire - G. D. Wright 🔥

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Release date - 5th June 2025

What a page turner this one is!!

Blurb - HE RUNS INTO THE FLAMES A HERO.

Steve thought he had left his troubled past behind. Living a quiet life with his wife and children, everything changes the night he rescues a baby from a burning house, becoming an unexpected national hero.

HE EMERGES FROM THE ASHES A SUSPECT.

But as the spotlight shines brighter, so does the scrutiny, and a shocking accusation is made – that Steve is the man responsible for an unsolved murder in Beachbrook years prior.

BUT WHICH ONE IS HE REALLY?

As his world unravels, public opinion is firmly divided. Steve pleads his innocence, but DS Sue Willmott is determined to get to the bottom of what really happened all those years ago.

After all, even heroes hide secrets of their own.

My thoughts 💭- firstly thankyou to @netgalley for the opportunity of a ARC of this one. I absolutely LOVED! I couldn’t out it down.

From the off I was hooked and just knew something was coming however I wasn’t sure what, I was on the edge of my seat and there were twists I never saw coming.

Multiple points of view kept me engaged and eager to read on. Definitely recommend this one when it’s released.

@gdwrightwrites

#bookreview #intothefire #gdwright #booklover #thriller #netgalley #ARC #bookblogger

This is a book that everyone will be talking about. I loved After the Storm, but Into the Fire is even better. The author is adept at leading the reader and then blindsiding with the totally unexpected. II makes you challenge your own beliefs and perceptions and it’s very subtle in the way it’s done. It’s a cracking well paced plot. Steve is returning from a night out with his wife and another couple when a fir is spotted. Steve to the rescue and in the aftermath, he’s a hero. But there’s a huge downside. He’s always kept a low profile and away from the media and now he’s under the spotlight. It becomes clear that all is not as it seems as the events are fully investigated. Great lead with DS Wilmott who appeared in the last book and whose character and background are further developed. I’m easily invested in these characters and as the tale unfolds it’s clear that childhood events have reverberated to the present. Loved this; twisty and I was left wanting more.